Dallam County

Dallam County Offices

Dallam County Town List

Dallam County, Texas, came from Young and Bexar territories. It is named after James W. Dallam, a key figure in the Republic of Texas supreme court.   

The county came into place in 1876 but was organized in 1891. The county seat is Dalhart which houses many county offices, including the courthouse.   

Dallam County History 

The first settlers were mostly German immigrants who settled along the banks of the Colorado River. They built their homes on high ground to avoid flooding during spring rains. In 1839, John H. Collins established his home near what became the town of San Antonio de Valero. 

He later moved to nearby Fredericksburg, where he founded the city. His son-in-law, William S. Austin, bought land around the old fort at Gonzales and laid out the townsite for the state’s new capital. 

It was called Washington City until 1850 when it was renamed Austin. A post office opened there in 1840 under the name of “Austin’s Station.” 

When the railroad arrived in 1853, the community changed its name again to honor Stephen F. Austin, the founder of Texas. By 1860, the population had grown so much that the town’s original site was no longer suitable. 

The citizens voted to move the town about two miles north to the present location. This area was originally part of the Mexican province of Coahuila y Tejas. 

After Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, this region remained within Mexico until 1836. During the period between 1835 and 1845, most Mexicans living here fled westward into Spanish territory. 

Population and Other Demographics 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Dallam county has a population of 7287. Of those people, 6,811 are White Americans, 595 are Hispanic Americans, 454 are Black Americans, and 9 are Asian Americans.  

About 1/3 of all households have children younger than 18 years old, while only 1/4 of families have someone older than 65 years old. 

The ratio of men to women is 53: 47, respectively. As far as education goes, almost half of adults over 25 years old have not graduated from high school. 

Only 10% of the total population has some college experience. Almost one-third of the adult population has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.  

In terms of employment, the number of employed individuals is slightly lower than the national average. However, the unemployment rate is significantly lower than the rest of the country. 

Dallam covers an area of 3,898 km², making up 0.6 percent of the U.S. state of Texas’ overall area.   

Education in Dallam County 

Dallam county provides quality educational opportunities for students. For instance, the county has Dalhart Independent School District, Dalhart Elementary School, and Dalhart Senior High School.  

It operates on a calendar year basis. This means that schools start classes during the fall semester and end them during the spring semester. 

Students who attend public schools must pay tuition fees which vary depending on their grade level. The amount varies between $0-$100 annually. 

Students may apply for financial aid through the federal government. They should fill out FAFSA forms each academic year. 

After graduating, students apply for internship opportunities with different companies around the county. Some internships require paid positions, while others offer only volunteer work.  

Some get employment after graduation. Others go back to school to pursue further studies. 

Health Care in Dallam County 

There are many health facilities available in Dallam county. These include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, dentists, doctors, and pharmacies. Moreover, there are optometrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, home healthcare providers, blood banks, hospices, and more. 

There are also private insurance plans offered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare Plans, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Cigna Health Care Plan, Humana Inc., Kaiser Perman. 

Established healthcare facilities like Coon Memorial Nursing Home have emergency facilities where patients receive medical attention when they need it most.  

Towns in Dallam County 

The county seat is the town of Dalhart which houses most government offices. It is a business city where people from all over the county come to do commerce. 

Other towns in the county include Texline and Conlen. Both city’s house small businesses and residential areas. 

Transportation in Dallam county Texas is smooth. The Department of Transportation maintains roads within the county. There are two main highways passing through the region. One is the U.S. Highway 87, and another one is State Highway 19. There are several state routes as well.  

The nearest international airport is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. 

County offices in Dallam 

County offices have a significant role in the local economy. There are several government offices based in Dallam, including:  

The County Judge is Wes Ritchey. The office’s role is to provide legal services such as filing papers, issuing marriage licenses, etc. You can reach the office at (806) 244-2450 or [email protected]. 

The sheriff’s Office is under Shane Stevenson. The role of the office is to provide law enforcement services throughout the county. You can contact them at (806) 244-2313 or [email protected]. 

The District Clerk’s Office handles civil cases like divorces, adoptions, probate matters, and guardianships. It is under Terri Banks. You can contact them at (806) 244-4751 or [email protected]. 

The Tax Collector’s Office collects taxes and distributes them among various governmental entities. Jami Parr supervises it. You can reach the office at (806) 244-2801 or E-Mail:[email protected]. 

Lastly, there is the County Attorney’s office under Whitney Hill. The office’s role is to represent the interests of the county before courts and administrative bodies. You can contact them via phone at (806) 244-5711 or email [email protected].